Dyeing of animal fibers and fabrics of alpha protein nature



Patented Ma 10, 1927.

iJN-ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL WRIGHT WILKINSON, OF WESTMINSTER, LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIQNOR TO ZAIR SYNDICATE, LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, A BRITISH COMPANY.

DYEING OF ANIMAL FIBERS AND FABRICS OI PROTEIN NATURE.

No Drawing. Application filed September 10, 1925, Serial No. 55,617, and in Great Britain September 11,

This invention relates to improvements in and connected with the dyeing of animal fibers or fabrics of a protein nature and more especially to an improved method of increasing the dye-absorbing power of the raid fibers or fabrics.

I have found thatwhen fibers, or fabrics, or substances of a protein nature, such as wool. fur, bristles, silk, leather, feathers, woollen fabrics, or the like, are subjected to the action of ozone or ozonized air (the ozone being produced by ultra violet radiation, silent discharge, or any other of the usual well known methods) that a considerable amount of the ozone is absorbed by the fibers or fabrics aforesaid, with no apparent change intheir appearance, or alteration or deterioration in their textilestrength.

As well known all the substances as aforesaid, preparatory to dyeing, in order to remove grease, dirt, or the like, have to undergo a cleaning or scouring treatment with dilute solution; of alkalies, and acids or soap, the strength of the solutions varyingpacity for absorption of practically all the classes of dyestufi's in general use and more intensive shades are obtained than are possible by the ordinary processes as hitherto employed. The dyes are found to be fixed more firmly and the colours are more re sistantto the action of light, washing, acids and the like while costs are reduced. Further, where, in the ordinary processes chemical mordants are essential, in the present process in many instances they are not required, as the materials take up the colours direct.

The following example will further shew how my invention may be carried out in practice but the invention is not limited to this example.

The fibers or fabrics after having been scoured or cleaned in the usual manner are preferably first soaked for a few minutes til) ultra voilet radiation, though stronger con- When sufliciently ozonized, the fabric or,

protein substance is well washed in water and either dyed at once (which is prefer able) or dried at low temperature and stored for the dyeing treatment later as the absorptive capacity is retained for some considerable time.

When dyeing according to the present process in the case of furs, and in particular white furs, it has been observedthat in some cases they acquire a remarkable silky lustre which adds very considerably to their commercial value.

WVhat I claim is g 1. A process for dyeing animal fibers of a protein nature comprising the step of treating said fibers with an alkaline solution, subjecting such fibers to the action of ozone, and dyeing the same.

2. A recess for dyeing animal fibers of a protein nature comprising the steps of treating said fibers with ammonia, subjecting such fibers to the action of ozone, and dyeing the same.

m aeeaaaa 3. A process for dyeing animal fibers of a '4. As an article of manufacture, animal protein nature comprising the steps of treatfibers of a protein nature treated with arm ing the fibers with an' ammonia solution, monia, subjected to the action of ozone, and 10 hgdro-extracting the same, subjecting said dyed.

5 ti ers to the action of ozone, washing them, In testimony whereof I have signed my and dyeing the fibers, substantially as dename to this specification. scri SAMUEL WRIGHT WILKINSON. 

